Hi everyone! I’m having trouble picking a residential hall/apartment. As an international freshman, I think that it would be easier and safer for me to stay at some place where they don’t party or drink excessively, with people around me engaged in studies, but also friendly, accepting and easygoing.
I’ll be attending next fall as a CFANS major so I’d like to live near my freshman year classes. But I heard that St Paul’s Bailey Hall is more disconnected from the main campus and it takes time to commute to the Minneapolis campus, especially in the winter. Although study’s my top priority and I don’t want to party 24/7, I still want to meet new people, make friends and participate in events. So I would like to know what my options are besides Bailey Hall.
Another question I have is whether I’ll be going a lot to the main campus (Minneapolis) because of my coursework. I’ll be majoring in applied economics, CFANS, but I’m not sure when I will be able to choose major preparation courses of my area of study.
Please help!! And thanks in advance!!
PS: I’m also looking for somewhere with a good dining hall!
I’m going to pitch Comstock. It’s the most central dorm- right next to the Student Union with its clubs and interest groups and study areas and bowling alleys. You’re right in the heart of everything, and the shuttle to St.Paul campus is easy to get to, even in winter. It has its own dining hall and while there are always exceptions, tends to be more sedate than most of the other dorms.
Unless you come in with a lot of your general ed credits (via AP or IB), most of your freshman classes will be on the Minneapolis campus. There may be one or two in your major that is only offered on St.Paul, but really, that’s more common for upper division coursework. Even if you do shuttle- it’s not hard to do.
After your freshman year, you can decide for yourself if Bailey is the best place to be for your major… but at least for year one, be on the Minneapolis campus.
For you, my second recommendation would be Middlebrook. It’s a bit of a walk to get to shuttles and classes, but it’s where many of the honors students live. Good place to make friends and find study partners. It also has its own dining hall.
Lots of my friends have said good things about Sanford, too, but I don’t have any experience of that dorm.
PS - 17th probably has the best dining hall. It’s the newest dorm, and has a Fresh Food Market.
Thanks a lot for your help! I’ve heard that many freshmen choose the 17th ave, but there’s also a lot of Greek life in there… Is that true?
You’ve heard right. It’s right smack dab on Frat Row, so yeah- there’s more Greek life nearby than at other dorms. But it’s also the newest dorm (and I mean by decades here) and looks great, so it’s easy to see why so many freshman choose it. It looks great, inside and out.
For what it’s worth, Greeks only represent about 3% of the student population here. You aren’t going to run into the massive party scene that you might find on other campuses. But 17th is right between Dinkytown (where most of the bars are) and the stadiums and frats… so it can get noisy on weekends.
@khidhala 
Hmm actually I’m looking for somewhere safe and not too noisy because I’m mainly focused on my studies, but I also want to get involved into the community and make friends… Which one would you suggest, 17th ave or the Superblock? Thanksss
Between 17th and the Superblock, I’d recommend 17th. You’ll love the new rooms, and there are lots of places to make friends, and lots of activities just a short walk away.
@khidhala Okay thanks a lot!!! I’ll put the 17th ave as my first choice. Btw… are you a current student at the U of M? What’s your major?
You’re more than welcome- hope the info helps.
Not a student- just an alum who now works on campus (and a parent, FWIW).